A kind and gentle man

A kind and gentle man, Walter Lee Hall, Jr., 75, of Morganton, closed his eyes to this world on Friday, October 23, and awakened refreshed, renewed, and in the presence of his heavenly Father.He is survived by and awaits a joyful reunion with his family: his wife of 55 years, Roberta Synder Hall; his son and daughter-in-law, Howard and Melissa Hall of Morganton; and his three grandsons, Hayes, Leighton, and John Coleman Hall. He is also survived by sister-in-laws: Margaret and L.C. Howard of Franklin, NC; Ann Norton of Marriottsville, Maryland; Ruth and Edwin Curley of Ann Arbor, Michigan; and a brother-in-law, Hayes and Margaret Snyder of Franklin, NC. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.Walter was born in Sylva, NC, on January 28, 1934, the son of the late Walter Lee Hall and Wilma Hall Crisp. His early years were spent in Franklin. He served as the Business Manager-Treasurer for Montreat-Anderson College and, later, worked as the Finance Officer for Macon County. He retired and moved to Grace Ridge Retirement Community in Morganton seven years ago to be closer to his grandchildren.An avid reader, Walter was passionately interested in genealogy and in history, particularly the history of Western North Carolina. He authored a book regarding his hometown of Franklin entitled "An Afternoon in Franklin." He was a dedicated Christian and was active in several churches: First United Methodist of Franklin, First United Methodist of Morganton, and, previously, Montreat Presbyterian in Montreat, where he served as an Elder. He was actively involved in numerous church and civic organizations including: the Gideons, the Rotary Club, the Old Buncombe Genealogical Society, the Macon County Historical Society, the Burke County Historical Society, the Sons of the Confederacy, the Civil War Roundtable, the Sons of the American Revolution, and the First United Methodist Book Club.After a private burial at Woodlawn Cemetery in Franklin, funeral services will be held Tuesday at 3 pm at Franklin’s First United Methodist Church. A memorial service will be held on Thursday afternoon at 3 pm in Morganton at the First United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends immediately following each service. Memorial contributions may be made to The Gideons International, PO Box 678, Morganton, NC 28680. Details can be obtained by contacting Sossoman’s Funeral Home in Morganton or Bryant Funeral Home in Franklin.